I do not use credit cards...took me too long to get out from under the debt I married into and I think credit cards are just over-rated. I carry a debit card only. I just save money to pay for what I want when I have the money for it. No interest, no store card to carry around, and most of all, no temptation.

I do like 15 to 30 percent deals, but if the service is bad or instruments are on back order, discounts are useless in my opinion. Like I mentioned I do not mind paying the MSRP for instruments if the service is good.

If you like your Guitar Center; and there are some good ones out there (I have been in them before), continue to use them. If you do not have a choice and they have bad service, I am sorry.

I agree visit as many stores as you can to get the best deal you can...even if it is from a store you may not like.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I dont really care about the name on the front of the store, The VA Beach GC seems to have friendly enough techs and salespeople who are pretty knowledgable, so it suits me

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It seems though when any music store has a discount "deal," none of the good brands participate or are allowed on the discount. So for me, what's the point of a discount if you can't use it on what you want? Not big on credit cards from stores either. Their interest rates are through the roof, even more than regular ones. If you have to get a credit card, get one with rewards so you can get cash back if you make a lot of purchases.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

Their credit card is a zero interest deal for 12 mos w/the fond hope that you'll run over. That has never happened with me. Just saves me a lump sum payout which can be a convenience at times. On this go 'round, I got the deal on Fender. Didn't ask questions. So big deal....it didn't happen. But the other dealer honored the quote.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Don't with Wal- I mean GC!

I've had good and bad experiences. I will say that GC does usually give you the best price. Their next biggest competition is Musician's Friend.

I've had some great deals and not so great deals. My advice: Get to know them like your best friend, but not too cheesy. Better yet know someone who actually works in the story. I've gotten 2 great deals from just knowing someone who used to work in the store.

Paris

Are they not affiliated companies?

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'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD

In my case, the two people I did business with for years are gone. One transferred west, and the other to parts unknown. Yet I still maintain that the major fault lies in this online ordering system of theirs. There should be a cross referencing system such that the sales force can check an updated list of the status of all their orders at will.

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"Another day in paradise!"

There's a vintage guitar shop called Lark Street Music by where I live, and the guy Buzz who works there has always been really good to me. I never bought a thing from him in my life, but he had no problems with me trying out the guitars... "This one is the 62 strat... this one is the 58... Wanna try out the 58?" Just pulled it down and handed it to me. So awesome.

I played a 65 tele in candy apple red there that had the greatest neck I have ever played on still to this day. It was a large U that was worn down asymmetrically on the bottom side with playing... I had never in my dreams felt anything like that before or since. I found pics of it on the site: http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/list/pict/65car.jpg

So you never know.

I have a colleague who lives in that town. I've known about the place for years but have never had the occasion to get across the river to acquaint myself personally. It would have to be a Sunday, and it would be a 70 mile round trip for me, but I hear good things.
Some day we are going to have to put out a call to all the NY-metro people and see if we can assembly a gathering of eagles.
I've done this in Florida to a very limited extent but am hoping to increase the reach of a circle of Forum friends with common interests.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Yes MusiciansFriend, Guitar Center, and Music123 are all affiliated companies. For me, I would rather order from Musiciansfriend because I do not have to pay taxes on the purchase. Since we have a Guitar Center here in Alabama, when I order from their web site, I have to pay taxes on the purchase. I already made that mistake last year when I bought my Les Paul. I ended up paying around $300 in taxes.

Oh dude it's ON. Let's do it.

I'll keep the future eye on it. The last time I threw out an invite, when a West Coast member was going to be in town, there was really no response. The only interested party had a conflict that evening. We'll play it by ear.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"